throw somebody a bone

throw (one) a bone

To attempt to appease or placate someone by giving them something trivial or of minor importance or by doing some small favor for them. (A reference to giving a dog a bone or scrap from a bigger portion of food.) My younger brother is always pleading for me to help out his career, so I threw him a bone and got him a small gig.
See also: bone, throw
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

throw somebody a ˈbone

give somebody a small part of what they want as a way of showing that you want to help or because you feel sympathy for them: The government threw a bone to environmentalists by acknowledging the need for cleaner energy. (American English, informal) Throw me a bone here! (= give me a little help)
See also: bone, somebody, throw
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary
See also:
  • throw (one) a bone
  • throw a bone
  • Throw me a bone!
  • toss (someone) a bone
  • toss a bone to (someone)
  • throw a bone to (someone)
  • crying over spilled milk, it's no good/use
  • make (something) out of nothing
  • make out of nothing
  • smooth (someone's) ruffled feathers